1) GREAT SHAKES
Where once the simple G&T was your only option, creative mixologists and an influx of small-batch gins are mixing things up. That’s a good thing: distillers use botanicals to create unique flavours, while infusing the drink with health benefits, too. Let Massimo Serpelloni at Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals show you how.
SAKURA
The Japanese sakura flower, known here as cherry blossom, has potent anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory qualities. It’s a key ingredient in Roku gin, so think of it as your new elixir.
CORIANDER
Whether you find it zesty or soapy, this herb will freshen up your fitness, courtesy of nutrients such as iron and magnesium, which are associated with improved athletic performance. You’ll find it in the Belgian gin Copperhead.
LIQUORICE
The liquorice root, one of the botanicals used in Bombay Sapphire, has long been celebrated as an aid to digestion and a stomach pain remedy, thanks to its toxin-fighting glycyrrhizic acid. Try saying that through a mouthful of allsorts.
VANILLA
While it might have an unfair rep as the boring flavour in a Neapolitan ice cream tub, vanilla packs a powerful one-two punch: it is antibacterial and full of antioxidants. Oxley uses it to flavour its gin, alongside nutmeg and cocoa nibs.
2) STIR CRAZY
Gin is the pro’s spirit of choice, with mixologists favouring its versatility and depth of flavour. To do it justice, not to mention pull off your impression of Tom Cruise in Cocktail, you’ll need the right tools. The holy trinity consists of a good shaker, a Hawthorne strainer and a bar spoon. If you want to cover all the bases, splash out on a stainless steel set that includes a measuring jigger (£20 lakeland.co.uk). Presentation counts, so update those dishwasher-stained tumblers. Opt for a balloon glass when serving a Bergamot Spritz (£30 for two lsa-international.com), a coupette for the Gimlet (£50 for two lsainternational.com), a rock glass for the Negroni (£28 for four lsa-international.com) and a Martini glass for your classic Aviation (£35 for two lsa-international.com).
3) SLICE & ICE
The liquid parts of gin- based drinks are prized for their simplicity, so there’s a lot of pressure on your garnish. Expect coffee beans, grapefruit slices and citrus peels, the last of which necessite a good peeler (£17 uk.zwilling-shop.com). All that’s left to do is master these cocktails from Serpelloni and Mr Fogg’s before opening night.
PROPER NIGHTCAP AVIATION
Ingredients
- Roku gin, 50ml
- Maraschino cherry liqueur, 5ml
- Violet liqueur, 10ml
- Lemon juice, 25ml
- Orange peel, to garnish
Method
This fruity cocktail makes for an ideal accompaniment to the evening News at Ten. The cherry liqueur could help you nod off, since cherries are a rare source of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep. Pour all of the liquids into a shaker, add ice and shake for 10-15 seconds. Sieve through a cocktail strainer – and ideally a fine tea strainer, as well – into a chilled Martini glass. Serve and enjoy with a slice of orange peel.
DOCTOR’S ORDER GIMLET
Ingredients
- Copperhead gin, 50ml
- Sugar, 200g
- Water, 250ml
- Cardamom pods, 8, lightly crushed
- Orange zest
- Lemon juice, 10ml
- Lemon peel, to garnish
Method
Concocted by the navy to combat scurvy (or so the legend goes), this gimlet is full of cardamom, which studies suggest could help fight cancer. Start with the cordial: heat the sugar and water in a pan until it starts to simmer, then add the pods and zest. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, cool, then mix with the lemon juice. Combine 25ml of this syrup with the gin, shake with ice, strain into a coupette and garnish with the peel.
EXTRA PEP COFFEE NEGRONI
Ingredients
- Bombay Sapphire gin, 25ml
- Red vermouth, 25ml
- Coffee liqueur, 15ml
- Campari, 10ml
- Coffee beans, to garnish
- Orange peel, to garnish
Method
Get out your bar spoon, cocktail strainer and mixing glass (if you don’t have one, the shaker tin will do). Fill with ice cubes, then add your liquid ingredients, starting with the lowest ABV and ending with the highest: your gin. Stir thoroughly, then strain into a rock glass full of fresh ice cubes. Garnish with the coffee beans for an extra kick and a slice of vitamin C-rich orange peel.
MULTIVIT BERGAMOT SPRITZ
- Oxley gin, 30ml
- Italicus Bergamot Rosolio, 15ml
- White vermouth, 10ml
- Grapefruit juice, 20ml freshly squeezed
- Soda water, to top up
- Grapefruit wedge, to garnish
- Thyme sprig, to garnish
Method
All you need for this easy cocktail is a bar spoon. Pour all of the liquids, apart from the soda, into a balloon glass, add cubed ice and stir. Add more ice, top up with soda water, then stir again. You’ve already juiced some low-calorie, nutrient-rich grapefruit, so you should have a slice left over to garnish. Add this at the end, along with a sprig of immunity-bolstering thyme.
4) PERFECT PARTNERS
If you’re craving a taste of the simple life, upgrade your G&T with our pick of the best health-enhancing tonics.
HIBISCUS
Studies suggest this flower, bottled by Lamb & Watt in a tonic, could help cut blood pressure and blood fat levels.
ELDERFLOWER
This classic flavour in Raisthorpe’s tonic is an old-school remedy for the flu, thanks to elderflower’s antiviral properties.
CUCUMBER
This tonic has 32% fewer calories than Fever Tree’s Indian tonic. Cucumber also has potent anti-cancer properties.
